CVE-2026-37068 in File Manager
Summary
by MITRE • 08/27/2026
Arbitrary file write in /vfm-admin/index.php?section=translations&action=update in Veno File Manager Project 4.4.9 allows an authenticated user with the role of super administrator to overwrite any php file in the application via a specially crafted POST request to the affected endpoint.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/28/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-XXXXX represents a critical Arbitrary File Write flaw within the Veno File Manager Project, specifically affecting version 4.4.9 and potentially earlier versions depending on deployment configurations. This security defect is located in the administrative interface at the endpoint /vfm-admin/index.php when invoked with specific parameters for section=translations and action=update. The core technical issue stems from insufficient validation of user-supplied input during file write operations, allowing an attacker to dictate not only the content but also the destination path of files created or modified by the application logic. While the vulnerability requires authentication, it is restricted to users holding the super administrator role, which typically implies a high level of trust and access within the system architecture. However, in many web applications, administrative credentials can be compromised through credential stuffing, phishing, or other lateral movement techniques, thereby lowering the barrier for exploitation significantly compared to unauthenticated vulnerabilities.
From a technical perspective, this flaw aligns with CWE-434: Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type and CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory if path traversal is involved in determining the write location. The application fails to properly sanitize or validate the file name or directory structure provided by the authenticated super administrator during the translation update process. By crafting a specific POST request, an attacker can manipulate internal variables that determine where data is persisted on the server's filesystem. This lack of strict input validation allows for the overwriting of existing PHP files within the application directory tree. The ability to overwrite arbitrary PHP files is particularly severe because it provides a direct mechanism for Remote Code Execution (RCE). If an attacker successfully replaces a core script or includes file with malicious code, they can execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system under the context of the web server process, such as www-data or apache.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is profound and extends beyond simple data integrity loss to complete system compromise. An authenticated super administrator who exploits this flaw can inject backdoors into legitimate application files, ensuring persistent access even if initial entry points are patched or closed. This persistence mechanism allows the attacker to maintain control over the server environment indefinitely. Furthermore, because the Veno File Manager is often used for managing website assets and configurations, compromising it may lead to broader network exposure depending on how the file manager integrates with other services. The ability to overwrite configuration files could also allow attackers to disable security controls, alter database connection strings to exfiltrate data, or redirect traffic to malicious domains. In a multi-tenant environment, this vulnerability could potentially be leveraged for cross-site attacks if one tenant's administrative credentials are compromised and used against another tenant's instance hosted on the same server infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The primary defense is upgrading to a patched version of Veno File Manager where input validation has been strictly enforced, ensuring that file names and paths are sanitized against directory traversal sequences and restricted to expected directories only. If an upgrade is not immediately feasible, administrators should implement strict access controls on the /vfm-admin/ directory using web server configuration directives such as .htaccess rules or Nginx location blocks to restrict access by IP address or require additional multi-factor authentication layers beyond standard password credentials. Additionally, deploying a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rulesets tuned for detecting arbitrary file write attempts and path traversal attacks can provide an external layer of defense against exploitation attempts. It is also critical to enforce the principle of least privilege; super administrator accounts should be reserved strictly for essential maintenance tasks and monitored closely for anomalous activity, such as frequent translation updates or unusual file system interactions. Regular security audits and code reviews focusing on input validation in file handling operations are recommended to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced during future development cycles. This vulnerability is also relevant to the MITRE ATT&CK framework under techniques related to Persistence (T1505) and Command and Control, as overwriting PHP files often serves as a method for establishing persistent backdoors or facilitating covert communication channels with external command and control servers.